Rookie NaLyssa Smith injured her right ankle while running back on defense during the Indiana Fever’s matchup with the Atlanta Dream. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft did not return to the game with the injury transpiring with just 6:29 remaining on the game clock.
When Smith left the game, she was working with a season-high 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists on 6-16 shooting from the floor, including knocking down three triples. The Fever ultimately fell short to the Dream, 85-79.
According to James Boyd of the IndyStar, Fever Coach, Marianne Stanley did not indicate how severe the injury was.
“It’s swollen,” Stanley said of Smith’s ankle.” But I don’t know how serious it is right now.”
Meanwhile, fellow rookie Rhyne Howard finished the game with 33 points, including a WNBA rookie record of 17 points in the first quarter. Howard shot 9-18 from the floor, including 3-8 from beyond the arc. The former Kentucky Wildcat added three rebounds, there steals, and two assists in 32 minutes of action.
The Fever will host the Dream again on Tuesday at 7 pm.
